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“It’s perfect,” Caitie said, her voice thick. “Lucas is a lucky guy.”
“He really is,” Rachel agreed. “I can’t wait to see his face when you walk down the aisle.”
“Do you really think he’ll like it?” Ember said, turning her eyes on Caitie.
“He’ll love it,” Caitie told her, nodding firmly.
“Can I go next?” Rachel asked, as the sales assistant led Ember back to the dressing room. “I want to see the bridesmaid dresses.”
“Yes, of course.” Ember smiled warmly at her friend. “Let’s go and try them on.”
Rachel clapped her hands together, looking a little giddy. “Oh I love weddings. They’re the only time we get to look like princesses. I can’t wait for Breck to see my dress.”
It was another hour before Caitie was standing in front of the floor length mirror, wearing her bra and panties as the sales assistant lifted the dress over her head. Her arms were pointing at the ceiling as the assistant had directed, and Caitie stood as still as she could while the woman zipped up the strapless dress.
“Oh, this color is amazing,” the assistant said. “It looked great on the others, but it’s like it was made for you. You have the most perfect skin.”
“Thank you,” Caitie said. She looked at herself in the mirror, taking in the rich burgundy satin and the way it clung to her upper body.
“It’s not often we see skin like yours in California. Let me guess, you’re from out of town.”
Caitie couldn’t help but chuckle at that. “Kind of,” she admitted. “I was born and raised here, but I left for college when I was eighteen.”
“You grew up here and have skin like this? What did you do, wear sunblock from the moment you were born?”
Caitie shrugged. “I’ve never been much of a sun-worshipper. I preferred reading in the shade when I was younger.”
“Well it looks good on you. It’s weird how you can buy fake tan, but you can’t buy fake pale. I’d pay good money to have your skin.”
“Thank you.” She wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Okay, you can go on out. Let your friends see how good you look.” The assistant stepped back so Caitie could turn around. She fussed with the pinned hemline for a moment, lifting it so Caitie could walk in the bridal shoes they’d loaned her. “Remember, when you’re wearing a dress like this you’re never in a rush to get anywhere.”
As soon as she stepped into the main shop she heard Ember’s gasp. All four of them stood and walked over to her, telling her how beautiful she looked, how the color was perfect on her.
“It’s perfect,” Ember whispered to her, giving her a hug. “I’m so happy it suits you. I want everybody to have a great time at the wedding, you included. Or especially you, since you’re working so hard on it.”
Caitie felt her chest flutter. She was trying her best, but right now it wasn’t good enough. Without a venue, buying these dresses was pointless. She couldn’t help but feel like she was letting her brother and Ember down. They’d asked her for help, but they were no further forward.
Ember was still smiling at her, and Caitie did her best to smile back. Even if she had to build a damn venue, brick by brick, one way or another, she was determined to make this wedding work.
7
“Hey, you planning on riding the waves on Saturday?” Lucas’s voice echoed through the phone speaker. Holding his phone in one hand, Breck opened the refrigerator with his other, pulling out a can of soda and popping the tab.
“Sounds good to me,” he said, lifting the can to his lips. “I have to do some work in the afternoon, but as long as we go out early, I’m up for it.”
“I’ve gotta make it early, too,” Lucas agreed. “I’m on shift on Sunday, and Ember has a list of things to do as long as your arm. It’s a good thing she’s no bridezilla.”
Whenever Lucas talked about his fiancée there was a warmth in his voice that made Breck smile. “How’s the wedding planning going?” he asked.
“Kind of so-so. We still havn’t found a venue. Ember’s panicking and Caitie keeps apologizing, even though it’s not her fault. The poor kid’s doing her best, you know?”
The mention of her name made Breck’s breath catch in his throat. God, he thought he was over that. Since the other night he’d deliberately put her out of his mind.
He sat on the deck of his beachside bungalow and propped his feet on the table in front of him. He’d gone for a run earlier that evening, and his hair was still damp from the shower he’d taken afterward. But his body still felt full of energy.
“You know, if you wait another year you could have the wedding at the Silver Sands Resort. We should be up and running long before next Christmas.”
